Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to
the endoscope apparatus that observes a deep alimentary canal such as a small intestine
or a large intestine.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Since a deep alimentary canal such as a small intestine or a large intestine is complicatedly
wound, it is difficult to transmit a force to the front end of an insertion section
just by pushing the insertion section of an endoscope. Accordingly, insertion into
the deep part of the alimentary canal is difficult. For this reason, there has been
proposed a method of inserting the insertion section of the endoscope into a body
cavity by inserting the insertion section thereof into a cylindrical insertion assisting
tool (which is also called an over-tube or a sliding tube). According to this method,
since the insertion section is guided to the insertion assisting tool, it is possible
to prevent the insertion section from being bent, thereby inserting the insertion
section into the deeper part of the alimentary canal.
[0003] In
JP-A-10-248794, there is disclosed an endoscope apparatus in which a first balloon is provided on
the front end of the insertion section of the endoscope and a second balloon is provided
on the front end of the insertion assisting tool. In the endoscope apparatus, the
insertion section or the insertion assisting tool can be fixed to the alimentary canal
by inflating the first balloon or the second balloon. Accordingly, it is possible
to insert the insertion section into the deep part of the alimentary canal while inflating
and deflating the corresponding balloon to alternately insert the insertion section
and the insertion assisting tool.
[0004] However, in the endoscope apparatus using the insertion assisting tool, a body fluid
may flow backward beyond a gap between the inner circumferential surface of the insertion
assisting tool and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section. Accordingly,
a problem arises in that the body fluid may leak from the base end of the insertion
assisting tool and makes the periphery dirty. In particular, in an endoscope apparatus
using double balloon, the insertion section is repeatedly inserted into and taken
out from the insertion assisting tool. Accordingly, a problem arises in that the body
fluid adhering on the insertion section may easily leak from the base end of the insertion
assisting tool during insertion of the insertion section.
[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, there has been a method of providing
a meal member on the base end of the insertion assisting tool to seal the gap between
the insertion assisting tool and the insertion section of the endoscope. In Fig. 22
of
JP-A-2005-312905, for example, there is provided a substantially cylindrical tube formed of an elastic
body and disclosed in a method of mounting one end of the tube on the base end of
the insertion assisting tool and closely contacting the other end of the tube with
the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section to seal the gap between
the insertion assisting tool and the insertion section.
[0006] However, in
JP-A-2005-312905, there is a problem in that when the insertion section is inserted into the deep
part of the alimentary canal by an insertion operation and an extraction operation,
it is difficult to obtain good operability. That is, in order to completely prevent
the leakage of the fluid, adhesion between the tube and the insertion section is necessary
to improve. However, in this case, since resistance increases at the time the insertion
assisting tool and the insertion section are relatively moved by the insertion operation
and the extraction operation, an operator cannot directly feel the resistance occurring
between the alimentary canal and the insertion assisting tool or between the alimentary
canal and the insertion section. As a result, a problem arises in that the operability
deteriorates.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] The invention is conceived in view of the above-described problems and the object
of the invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of reliably preventing
leakage of the body fluid from the base end of the insertion assisting tool and having
good operability.
[0008] According to Aspect 1 of the invention, there is provided an endoscope apparatus
comprising: an endoscope including an insertion section; a cylindrical insertion assisting
tool that allows the insertion section to be inserted to assist insertion of the insertion
section into a body cavity; and a ring-shaped seal member that is supported so as
to slide on the insertion section with the insertion section inserted, wherein the
seal member is detachably mounted on a base end of the insertion assisting tool to
seal a gap between the insertion assisting tool and the insertion section.
[0009] According to Aspect 1 of the invention, the seal member can follow the insertion
section in the state where the insertion section is inserted into the seal member.
Accordingly, since the seal member can be mounted on the insertion assisting tool
if necessary, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the body fluid or the like
and to also improve the operability. For example, when the insertion section of the
endoscope is inserted into the winding portion of the alimentary canal, it is possible
to feel the resistance of the alimentary canal by extracting the seal member from
the insertion assisting tool. Moreover, when the insertion section of the endoscope
is inserted into the deep part of the alimentary canal, it is possible to prevent
the leakage of the body fluid by mounting the sealing member on the insertion assisting
tool. In this way, it is possible to improve the operability and to prevent the leakage
of the body fluid or the like.
[0010] The invention described in Aspect 2 is the endoscope apparatus according to Aspect
1, wherein the seal member comprises: an elastic member including a cylindrical portion
having a uniform diameter, an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion
being to closely contact an outer circumferential surface of the insertion section;
and a ring-shaped tubular body of a material harder than that of the elastic member
that supports the elastic member and is detachably fitted to the base end of the insertion
assisting tool.
[0011] According to Aspect 2 of the invention, the elastic member has the cylindrical portion
with the uniform diameter and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical
portion closely contacts the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section.
Accordingly, the surface of the seal member contacts that of the insertion section.
Accordingly, since the gap between the insertion assisting tool and the insertion
section, it is possible to reliably prevent the leakage of the body fluid or the like.
[0012] According to Aspect 2 of the invention, the elastic member is supported by the hard
tubular body. Accordingly, the seal member can be easily moved by gripping the tubular
body. Moreover, since the tubular body is fitted to the base end of the insertion
assisting tool, the seal member can be easily attached to or detached from the insertion
assisting tool.
[0013] The cylindrical portion of the elastic member may have a predetermined length in
an axial direction thereof (for example, in the range of 10 to 20 mm).
[0014] The invention described in Aspect 3 is the endoscope apparatus according to Aspect
2, wherein when the tubular body is fitted to the base end of the insertion assisting
tool, the elastic member closely contacts the base end of the insertion assisting
tool. According to Aspect 3 of the invention, since the elastic member closely contacts
the base end of the insertion assisting tool, the elastic member can seal the gap
between the insertion assisting tool and the elastic member.
[0015] The invention described in Aspect 4 is the endoscope apparatus according to any one
of Aspect 2 or 3, wherein the tubular body comprises a locking portion protruding
from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular body, and wherein the locking
portion is fitted to the base end of the insertion assisting tool. According to Aspect
4, the seal member can be reliably mounted on the base end of the insertion assisting
tool by use of the locking portion.
[0016] The invention described in Aspect 5 is the endoscope apparatus according to any one
of Aspect 2 or 3, wherein the seal member further comprises a mounting ring having
a diameter larger than that of the elastic member and having a length in an axial
direction shorter than that of the elastic member, and wherein both ends of the elastic
member are turned over in a state where the elastic member is inserted into the mounting
ring and adhered to an outer circumferential surface of the mounting ring, so that
the mounting ring is inserted into the tubular body.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017]
Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an endoscope apparatus
according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is perspective view illustrating the front end of an insertion section of an
endoscope;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a gripping section of an insertion assisting
tool and a seal member;
Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the seal member;
Figs. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the assembled seal member;
Figs. 6A to 6J are diagrams for explaining a method of operating the endoscope apparatus
shown in Fig. 1;
Figs. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a method of using the seal member; and
Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a seal member with a shape different
from that in Fig. 4.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0018] An endoscope apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention will
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram
illustrating a configuration of a system which is an example of the endoscope apparatus
according to the invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the endoscope apparatus mainly includes
an endoscope 10, an insertion assisting tool 70, a balloon control device 100, and
a seal member 150.
[0019] The endoscope 10 includes a hand operation section 14 and an insertion section 12
which is connected to the hand operation section 14 and inserted into a body cavity.
The hand operation section 14 extends to a universal cable 16 and an LG connector
18 is provided in the front end of the universal cable 16. The LG connector 18 is
connected to a light source device 20 so as to be freely attached thereto or detached
therefrom, so that illuminating light is sent to illumination optical systems 54 (see
Fig. 2) described below. In addition, an electrical connector 24 is connected to the
LG connector 18 through a cable 22, and the electrical connector 24 is connected to
a processor 26 so as to be freely attached thereto or detached therefrom.
[0020] In the hand operation section 14, an air/water supply button 28, a suction button
30, a shutter button 32, and a function switch button 34 are disposed in parallel
and a pair of angle knobs 36 are disposed. A balloon air supply port 38 which is formed
of a tube bent in an L shape is formed on the base end of the hand operation section
14. A first balloon 60 described below can be inflated or deflated by supplying a
fluid such as air to the balloon air supply port 38 or sucking the fluid from the
balloon air supply port 38.
[0021] The insertion section 12 includes a flexible portion 40, a curving portion 42, and
a front end portion 44 which are sequentially disposed from a side of the hand operation
section 14. The curving portion 42 is remotely operated to be curved by rotational
operation of the angle knobs 36 disposed on the hand operation section 14. Thereby,
the front end portion 44 can be directed in a desired direction.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, an observation optical system 52, the illumination optical systems
54, an air/water supply nozzle 56, and forceps port 58 are formed on a tip end surface
45 of the front end portion 44. A CCD (not shown) is disposed on the rear side of
the observation optical system 52 and a signal cable (not shown) is connected to a
board for supporting the CCD. The signal cable is inserted through the insertion section
12, the hand operation section 14, and the universal cable 16, and the like shown
in Fig. 1 to extend to the electric connector 24 and the processor 26. Consequently,
an image observed by the observation optical system 52 is formed on a light acceptance
surface of the CCD to be converted into an electrical signal and the electrical signal
is output to the processor 26 through the signal cable to be converted into an image
signal. In this way, the observed image is displayed on a monitor 50 connected to
the processor 26.
[0023] A light-emitting of a light guide (not shown) is disposed on the rear side of the
illumination optical systems 54 shown in Fig. 2. The light guide is inserted through
the insertion section 12, the hand operation section 14, and the universal cable 16
shown in Fig. 1 so that the light incident end is disposed in the inside of the LG
connector 18. Accordingly, the LG connector 18 is connected to the light source device
20, so that illumination light from the light source device 20 is transmitted to the
illumination optical systems 54 through the light guide to be radiated from the illumination
optical systems 54 to the front side through the light guide.
[0024] The air/water supply nozzle 56 shown in Fig. 2 communicates with a valve (not shown)
operated by the air/water supply button 28 shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the valve
communicates with the air/water supply connector 48 disposed on the LG connector 18.
The air/water supply connector 48 is connected to an air/water supply mechanism (not
shown) so that air or water is supplied thereto. Accordingly, air or water can be
ejected from the air/water supply nozzle 56 to the observation optical system 52 by
operation of the air/water supply button 28.
[0025] The forceps port 58 shown in Fig. 2 communicates with a forceps insertion portion
46 shown in Fig. 1. Accordingly, a treatment tool such as a forceps is inserted from
the forceps insertion portion 46 so as to be taken out from the forceps port 58. The
forceps port 58 communicates with the valve (not shown) operated by the suction button
30. In addition, the valve is connected to a suction connector 49 of the LG connector
18. Accordingly, a suction mechanism (not shown) is connected to the suction connector
49, so that a lesion part or the like can be sucked through the forceps port 58 by
operating the valve with the suction button 30.
[0026] A first balloon 60 made of an elastic material such as rubber is mounted on the outer
circumferential surface of the insertion section 12. Both shrinkable ends of the first
balloon 60 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The insertion section
12 is inserted into the first balloon 60 so that the first balloon 60 is located at
a desired position. Afterward, as shown in Fig. 2, fixation rings 62 made of a rubber
material are inserted on both the ends of the first balloon 60 so that the first balloon
60 is fixed to the insertion section 12.
[0027] An airing hole 64 is formed at a position where the first balloon 60 is mounted,
that is, on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section 12. The airing
hole 64 communicates with the balloon air supply port 38 formed in the hand operation
section 14 shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the balloon air supply port 38 is connected
to a balloon control device 100 through a tube 110 described below. Accordingly, the
first balloon 60 can be inflated or deflated by supplying or sucking air by use of
the balloon control device 100. In addition, by supplying air to the first balloon
60, the first balloon 60 is inflated in a substantially spherical shape, and by sucking
air, the first balloon 60 is attached to the outer surface of the insertion section
12.
[0028] Meanwhile, the insertion assisting tool 70 shown in Fig. 1 includes a hard gripping
section 72 which is formed in a cylindrical shape and provided on the base end and
a main body tube 73 which is provided on the front end of the gripping section 72.
A seal member 150 described below is detachably mounted on the gripping section 72.
In addition, the insertion section 12 of the endoscope 10 is inserted in the inside
of the main body tube 73 through the gripping section 72.
[0029] An inlet port 78 is formed on the base end of the insertion assisting tool 70. The
inlet port 78 communicates with an opening (not shown) formed in the inner circumferential
surface of the insertion assisting tool 70. Accordingly, a lubricant can be supplied
to the inside of the insertion assisting tool 70 by injecting the lubricant (for example,
water) from the inlet port 78 with an injector or the like. When the insertion section
12 is inserted into the insertion assisting tool 70, it is possible to reduce friction
between the inner circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool 70 and the
outer circumferential surface of the insertion section 12. Accordingly, smoothly relative
movement between the insertion section 12 and the insertion assisting tool 70 is possible.
[0030] The main body tube 73 of the insertion assisting tool 70 is formed of a flexible
resin tube made of urethane or the like, of which the outer circumferential surface
and the inner circumferential surface are coated with a hydrophilic coating material
(lubricating coating material). As the hydrophilic coating material, for example,
polyvinylpyrrolidone is used.
[0031] A second balloon 80 is mounted in the vicinity of the front end of the main body
tube 73. The second balloon 80 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that
both ends thereof are narrowed. The second balloon 80 is fixed by winding a thread
(not shown) in a state where the insertion assisting tool 70 is inserted. A tube 74
attached on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion assisting tool 70 communicates
with the second balloon 80 and a connector 76 is provided on the base end of the tube
74. A tube 120 is connected to the connector 76 which is connected to the balloon
control device 100 through the tube 120. Accordingly, the second balloon 80 can be
inflated or deflated by supplying air or sucking air with the balloon control device
100. By supplying air to the second balloon 80, the second balloon 80 is inflated
in a substantially spherical shape to be attached to the outer surface of the insertion
assisting tool 70 by sucking air.
[0032] The balloon control device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a device which not only supplies
a fluid such as air to the first balloon 60 or sucks the fluid from the first balloon
60, but also supplies a fluid such as air to the second balloon 80 or sucks the fluid
from the second balloon 80. The balloon control device 100 mainly includes a device
body 102 and a hand switch 104 for a remote control.
[0033] A power supply switch SW1, a stop switch SW2, a first pressure display unit 106,
a second pressure display unit 108, a first function stop switch SW3, and a second
function stop switch SW4 are formed on the front surface of the device body 102. The
first pressure display unit 106 and the second pressure display unit 108 are panels
for displaying a pressure difference of the first balloon 60 and a second balloon
80, respectively. If a problem such as a case where the balloon is torn occurs, an
error code is displayed on the pressure display units 106 and 108.
[0034] The first function stop switch SW3 and the second function stop switch SW4 are switches
for turning ON/OFF a function for a control system of the endoscope and a function
for a control system of the insertion assisting tool, respectively. When one of the
first balloon 60 and the second balloon 80 is not used, the function is turned OFF
by operation of the corresponding one of the function stop switch SW3 and the function
stop switch SW4. In the control system in which the function is turned OFF, the supply
or suction of air completely stops, and thus the corresponding one of the pressure
display unit 106 and the pressure display unit 108 is also turned OFF. When both the
function stop switches SW3 and SW4 are tuned OFF, an initial setting process or the
like can be performed. For example, a calibration for atmosphere pressure is performed
by turning both the function stop switches SW3 and SW4 OFF and simultaneously pressing
all switches SW5 to SW9 of the hand switch 104.
[0035] A tube 110 for supplying air to the first balloon 60 or sucking air from the first
balloon 60 and a tube 120 for supplying air to the second balloon 80 or sucking air
from the second balloon 80 are connected to the front surface of the device body 102.
Backflow prevention units 112 and 122 are disposed in connection portions between
the tubes 110 and 120 and the device body 102, respectively, in order to prevent the
backflow of the body liquid in a case where a body fluid flows backward when the first
balloon 60 or the second balloon 80 is torn. The backflow prevention units 112 and
122 are configured in a manner gas-liquid separating filter is inserted into a hollow
disk-shaped case (not shown) mounted so as to be freely attached to or detached from
the device body 102. In this way, the filter can prevent the body fluid from flowing
in the device body 102.
[0036] The stop switch SW5 which is the same as the top switch SW2 of the device body 102,
the ON/OFF switch SW6 for instructing pressurization or depressurization of the first
balloon 60, the pose switch SW7 for maintaining the pressure of the first balloon
60, the ON/OFF switch SW8 for instructing pressurization or depressurization of the
second balloon 80, and the pose switch SW9 for maintaining the pressure of the second
balloon 80 are formed in the hand switch 104. In addition, the hand switch 104 is
electrically connected to the device body 102 through a code 130. In the hand switch
104, there is provided a display unit (not shown in Fig. 1) which displays a state
of air supply or air discharge of the first balloon 60 or the second balloon 80.
[0037] The balloon control device 100 configured in such a manner supplies air to expand
the first balloon 60 or the second balloon 80 and also controls the air pressure at
a uniform value to maintain the inflated state of the first balloon 60 or the second
balloon 80. In addition, the balloon control device 100 sucks the air from the first
balloon 60 or the second balloon 80 to contract the first balloon 60 or the second
balloon 80 and also controls the air pressure at a uniform value to maintain the deflated
state of the first balloon 60 or the second balloon 80.
[0038] The balloon control device 100 is connected to a balloon-only monitor 82. In addition,
when the balloon control device 100 expands or contracts the first balloon 60 or the
second balloon 80, the balloon control device 100 displays the pressure value or the
inflated or deflated state of the first balloon 60 or the second balloon 80 on the
balloon-only monitor 82. Moreover, the inflated or deflated state of the first balloon
60 or the second balloon 80 may be superimposed on the image observed in the endoscope
10 to be displayed on a monitor 50.
[0039] Next, the seal member 150, which is an advantageous aspect of the invention, will
be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating
the gripping section 72 of the insertion assisting tool 70 and the seal member 150.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the seal member 150. Figs. 5A
and 5B are diagrams illustrating the assembled seal member 150.
[0040] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5B, the seal member 150 includes a tubular body 152, an elastic
member 154, and a mounting ring 156.
[0041] The elastic member 154 is supported on the tubular body 152 through the mounting
ring 156. The elastic member 154 is formed of an elastic material such as crude rubber
or silicon rubber. In addition, the elastic member 154 is formed in a cylindrical
shape (tube shape) with a uniform diameter, as shown in Fig. 5A. The inner diameter
of the elastic member 154 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion
section 12 of the endoscope 10. On the other hand, the diameter of the mounting ring
156 is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion section 12 of the outer diameter
of the elastic member 154. In addition, the length of the mounting ring 156 with a
cylindrical shape is shorter than that of the elastic member 154 in an axial direction
thereof. The elastic member 154 is inserted into the mounting ring 156, and then both
the ends 154A of the elastic member 154 are turned over to be fixed to the outer surface
of the mounting ring 156 as shown in Fig. 5B. As shown in Fig. 4, the elastic member
154 is supported by the tubular body 152 by fitting the mounting ring 156 mounting
with the elastic member 154 to the inside of the tubular body 152. The elastic member
154 supported in this manner is formed so as to have a uniform diameter and has a
cylindrical portion 154B with a predetermined length L (for example, in the range
of 10 to 20 mm) in an axial direction thereof.
[0042] The tubular body 152 made of a material, for example, a resin or metal harder than
the elastic member 154 is formed in a ring shape. A plurality of slits 158 are formed
from one end surface of the tubular body 152. The slits 158 are formed at a uniform
angle interval in a circumferential direction of the tubular body 152. The formation
of the slits 158 enables the diameter of the end of the tubular body 152 to be expanded.
Claw-like portions (locking portions) 160, which are fitted to the gripping section
72 of the insertion assisting tool 70, are formed on the end of the tubular body 152.
The claw-like portions 160 are formed between the slits 158 so as to protrude toward
the inner circumferential surface of the tubular body 152. The claw-like portions
160 are engaged with a groove 162 formed around the outer circumference of the gripping
section 72. Accordingly, the diameter of the end of the tubular body 152 is slightly
expanded and by pushing the tubular body 152 to the gripping section 72 of the insertion
assisting tool 70 from the end with the claw-like portions 160 of the tubular body
152. At this time, the claw-like portions 160 are fitted to the groove 162 of the
gripping section 72, so that the tubular body 152 is fixed to the gripping section
72.
[0043] When the tubular body 152 is fixed to the gripping section 72 in this manner, the
elastic 154 is configured to be pressed between the mounting ring 156 and the base
end of the insertion assisting tool 70 (see Fig. 7B). That is, in Fig. 7A, if it is
supposed that a distance between the base end of the claw-like portions 160 and the
front end of the elastic member 154 is x, a distance between the base end of the insertion
assisting tool 70 and the groove 162 is y, and a distance between the base end of
the claw-like portions 160 and the front end of the mounting ring 156 is z, the distance
relation is configured to satisfy z > y > x. With such a configuration of z > y >
x, when the claw-like portions 160 are engaged with the groove 162, the elastic member
154 is pressed between the mounting ring 156 and the insertion assisting tool 70.
In this way, a gap between the insertion assisting tool 70 and the tubular body 152
is sealed by the elastic member 154.
[0044] Next, an operation method of the endoscope apparatus configured in this manner will
be described with reference to Figs. 6A to 6J and Figs. 7A and 7B.
[0045] First, the insertion section 12 is inserted into the seal member 150, and then inserted
into the insertion assisting tool 70. Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 6A, the insertion
section 12 is inserted from an anus 90A into an alimentary canal (large intestine)
90 (insertion operation). At this time, the first balloon 60 and the second balloon
80 are deflated. In addition, as shown in Fig. 7A, the seal member 150 is drawn up
to the hand operation section 14.
[0046] Next, as shown in Fig. 6A, the first balloon 60 is inflated in a state where the
front end of the insertion section 12 reaches an S-shaped colon 90B, and then the
front end of the insertion section 12 is fixed to the alimentary canal 90 (fixation
operation).
[0047] Subsequently, the insertion assisting tool 70 is inserted so as to follow the insertion
section 12 (press operation). As shown in Fig. 6B, the front end of the insertion
assisting tool 70 is inserted up to the vicinity of the first balloon 60, and then
air is supplied to the second balloon 80 so as to be inflated. In this way, the second
balloon 80 is fixed to the alimentary canal 90, so that the alimentary canal 90 is
gripped by the insertion assisting tool 70 through the second balloon 80.
[0048] Next, as shown in Fig. 6C, the insertion assisting tool 70 is drawn so as to eliminate
winding portion of the alimentary canal 90 (extraction operation).
[0049] Subsequently, the air is sucked from the first balloon 60 to deflate the first balloon
60. In addition, as shown in Fig. 6D, the insertion section 12 is inserted into the
deeper portion of the alimentary canal 90 (for example, up to winding portion of the
upper portion of the descending colon 90C) (insertion operation). As described above,
the fixation operation of inflating the first balloon 60 and the press operation of
following the insertion section 12 by inserting the insertion assisting tool 70 are
performed. Afterward, the extraction operation of inflating the second balloon 80
to grip the alimentary canal 90 is performed by use of the insertion assisting tool
70. In this way, as shown in Fig. 6E, the winding portion of the alimentary canal
90 is eliminated.
[0050] A series of such operations (the insertion operation, the fixation operation, the
press operation, a grip operation, and the extraction operation) are repeatedly performed,
so that the front end of the insertion section 12 can be gradually inserted into the
deeper portion of the alimentary canal 90. Moreover, the winding portion of the alimentary
canal 90 can be eliminated by use of the insertion assisting tool 70.
[0051] For example, in Fig. 6F, the front end of the insertion section 12 is inserted into
the end portion of the transverse colon 90D and the winding portion of the alimentary
canal 90 is eliminated by performing the extraction operation of the insertion assisting
tool 70.
[0052] The front end of the insertion section 12 can be inserted into the deeper portion
of the large intestine by performing such operations. At this time, the insertion
assisting tool 70 is shaped into a half loop, so that the insertion section 12 can
be thereby inserted into the deeper portion of the alimentary canal 90. Therefore,
the deeper portion of the alimentary canal 90 can be observed and treated by the endoscope
10.
[0053] However, if the insertion operation and the extraction operation of the insertion
section 12 are repeatedly performed by using the insertion assisting tool 70 in the
state where the insertion section 12 is inserted into the alimentary canal 90, the
body fluid may flow backward beyond the gap between the inner circumferential surface
of the insertion assisting tool 70 and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion
section 12, and thus the body fluid may leak from the base end of the insertion assisting
tool 70. In particular, when the insertion section 12 is inserted into the deep portion
of the alimentary canal 90, resistance of the insertion operation and the extraction
operation increases, and thus a leaking body fluid may increase.
[0054] In order to solve such a problem, after the insertion section 12 is inserted to some
extent, the seal member 150 is mounted on the base end of the insertion assisting
tool 70. That is, the tubular body 152 of the seal member 150 is gripped to be moved
along the insertion section 12 to the front end side of the insertion section 12.
Subsequently, the tubular body 152 is pushed into the gripping section 72 of the insertion
assisting tool 70, so that the claw-like portions 160 are engaged with the groove
162 of the gripping section 72. In this way, the seal member 150 is mounted on the
gripping section 72 of the insertion assisting tool 70. At this time, as shown in
Fig. 7B, a size between the claw-like portions 160 and the side surface of the front
end of the elastic member 154 is slightly shorter than that of the mount portion of
the gripping section 72 of the insertion assisting tool 70. Accordingly, since the
elastic member 154 is tightly pressed by the mounting ring 156 and the gripping section
72, the gap between the insertion assisting tool 70 and the seal member 150 is sealed.
Moreover, since the cylindrical portion 154B of the elastic member 154 contacts the
outer circumferential surface of the insertion section 12, a gap between the insertion
section 12 and the elastic member 154 of the seal member 150 is sealed. In this way,
since the gap between the insertion section 12 and the insertion assisting tool 70
is reliably sealed by the seal member 150, it is possible to reliably prevent the
body fluid or the like from flowing backward.
[0055] According to this embodiment, the seal member 150 has a cylindrical portion 154B
with a uniform diameter, so that the cylindrical portion 154B is closely contacted
with the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section 12. Accordingly, the
gap between the insertion section 12 and the insertion assisting tool 70 can be reliably
sealed, fluid leakage can be prevented.
[0056] According to this embodiment, the elastic member 154 is supported by the hard tubular
body 152. Accordingly, by gripping the tubular body 152, the elastic member 154 can
be smoothly moved so as to slide without deformation of the elastic member 154. In
addition, the tubular body 152 has the claw-like portions 160 to be fitted to the
gripping section 72 of the insertion assisting tool 70. Accordingly, the mount portion
on the insertion assisting tool 70 has no function of sealing the gap between the
insertion section 12 and the insertion assisting tool 70 and the seal member 150 can
be simply attached to or detached from the insertion assisting tool 70. That is, like
JP-A-2005-312905, if the mounting operation on the insertion assisting tool 70 is performed by using
an elastic force of a tube and the mount portion has the mounting function and the
sealing function, it is difficult to perform the attaching and detaching operations.
However, in this embodiment, since the tubular body 152 performs the mounting function
on the insertion assisting tool 70 and the elastic member 154 performs the sealing
function, it is possible to simply perform the attaching and detaching operations.
Accordingly, the seal member 150 can be mounted on the insertion assisting tool 70
only if necessary. For example, when the insertion section 12 of the endoscope 10
is inserted into a shallow colon (for example, S-shaped colon) of the alimentary canal
90, the seal member 150 can be easily detached from the insertion assisting tool 70.
In this way, since resistance at the time of inserting the insertion section 12 decreases,
an operator can easily feel the resistance which the insertion section 12 receives
from the alimentary canal 90, thereby improving operability. That is, when the seal
member 150 is mounted on the insertion assisting tool 70, the friction between the
seal member 150 and the insertion section 12 is large. Accordingly, when the resistance
is large when the insertion section 12 is inserted, it is difficult for the operator
to feel the resistance from the alimentary canal 90. For this reason, a problem arises
in that the operability deteriorates. However, by separating the seal member 150,
the operator can directly feel only the resistance from the alimentary canal 90 with
hand. As a result, the above-described problem can be prevented.
[0057] According to this embodiment, the elastic member 154 has the hollow cylindrical shape.
Accordingly, when the insertion section 12 is considerably incurved, the cylindrical
portion 154B follows the insertion section 12, thereby normally maintaining adhesion
between the cylindrical portion 154B and the insertion section 12. That is, as shown
in Fig. 7B, the cylindrical portion 154B has the hollow portion. Accordingly even
when the hand operation side of the insertion section 12 is inclined upward and the
front end thereof is inclined downward, the shape of the cylindrical portion 154B
can be deformed so that the front end side is squashed and the hand operation side
is swollen in the lower portion and so that the front end is swollen and the hand
operation side is squashed in the upper portion. Therefore, the cylindrical portion
154B can follow the motion of the insertion section 12. As a result, it is possible
to reliably seal the gap between the insertion section 12 and the insertion assisting
tool 70.
[0058] According to this embodiment, the seal member 150 is used to prevent the leakage
of the body fluid. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the seal member
150 can be also used to prevent leakage of the lubricant injected through the inlet
port 78. When an X-ray radiopaque dye is injected through the inlet port 78, the seal
member 150 may be used to prevent leakage of the radiopague dye.
[0059] The configuration of the seal member 150 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
However, the seal member 150 may be configured in the manner that the seal member
154 has the cylindrical portion 154B with a uniform diameter, the elastic member 154
is supported by the hard tubular body 152, and furthermore the tubular body 152 may
have a locking portion fitted to the insertion assisting tool 70. For example, in
a seal member 180 shown in Fig. 8, an elastic member 184 is configured to have a cylindrical
shape with a predetermined thickness. The elastic member 184 is supported by a hard
tubular body 152 so as to be pressed in the inside of the tubular body 152 having
a claw-like portion 160. In addition, the inner diameter of the elastic member 184
is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion section 12. The elastic
member 184 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the insertion section 12.
Even in the seal member 180 configured in this manner, the elastic member 184 can
reliably seal the gap between the insertion section 12 and the insertion assisting
tool 70. The seal member 180 can be easily attached to or detached from the insertion
assisting tool 70 by engaging the claw-like portion 160 of the tubular body 152 having
a groove 162 of the insertion assisting tool 70. In the seal member 180, "a distance
x1 between the base end of the claw-like portion 160 and the front end of the elastic
member 184" is slightly smaller than "a distance y between the base end of the insertion
assisting tool 70 and the base end of the groove 162 (see Fig. 7A). In this case,
the elastic member 184 closely contacts the entire surface of the base end of the
assisting tool 70. Accordingly, it is possible to seal the gap between the insertion
assisting tool 70 and the seal member 180.
[0060] The endoscope with two balloons according to the above-described embodiment has been
described. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but can be applied to a
case where the insertion assisting tool 70 is used without the second balloon 80 or
a case where the endoscope 10 is used without the first balloon 60.
[0061] According to the invention, since the seal member can follow the insertion section
in a state where an insertion section is inserted into a seal member, the seal member
can be mounted on an insertion assisting tool only if necessary, thereby preventing
leakage of a body fluid or the like and also improving operability.
[0062] The entire disclosure of each and every foreign patent application from which the
benefit of foreign priority has been claimed in the present application is incorporated
herein by reference, as if fully set forth.